Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Feb. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 13th day of February, 2018. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Troy Humphrey to lead the council in prayer. Following the invocation, Mayor Stephens led the council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. He then called the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Danny Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman

Mayor Stephens advised that he would like to appoint Ms. Gina Hunziker as City Clerk.

Motion: To approve the appointment of Gina Hunziker as City Clerk. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman Voss, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman Nays: None Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens then swore in Gina Hunziker as the newly appointed City Clerk.

Mayor Stephens advised that Cory Etherton was being promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was then pinned by his wife, Ashley Etherton.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the presentation by Joe Koppeis will be delayed until the next City Council meeting. He is planning the groundbreaking at the new hotel site for Tuesday, May 1st. He is currently working with a fast food partner for this location.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the January 23, 2018 council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting. Motion by Alderman Voss Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Alderman Bratton requested clarification of the bill to Craine Heating & Air Conditioning for $330.00 for the freezer repair at the Senior Citizen’s Building. Asked for clarification as to whether the city maintains just the building or the equipment inside also. Per Brian Manwaring the city received a grant to install the kitchen equipment. This will be placed on the next agenda to discuss how the city would like to handle these type of repairs.

Alderman Campos inquired as to the bill for the cameras. The wrong cameras were sent so they were returned and the correct ones sent in their place.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, registers #653, 654 and #655 through February 13, 2018, accounts receivable through January 31, 2018 and payroll through January 31, 2018. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll for their review, prior to the meeting. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bastien Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Alderman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items. Scott Evans presented the City-wide Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017. Stated the year ended with an approximate $330,000 surplus.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building and Grounds related items. Attorney Heller gave an update on the North 23rd and Union Pacific issue. A representative had contacted Attorney Heller via email asking when was convenient to talk, he responded with dates but she has not contacted him. He stated that he has asked for a copy of their maintenance records and to date has not received any. Mayor Stephens inquired as to what the next step could be, possibly action against the Railroad for Declaratory Relief to declare the disputed area a street? Attorney Heller does not expect the Railroad to yield their property or respond unless the city sues.

Motion: To file a motion against the Union Pacific Railroad. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman Alderman McComb called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Public comment: Eugene Basden asked if the city had assessed the value of the property in question? What if they do have maintenance records? What is our contingency plan? Alderman McComb responded that he does not feel they would be willing to sell and the contingency plan would be to return to the Council and discuss any updates.

Alderman McComb would like to amend the Cemetery Mowing and Maintenance Contract terms before approving a new contract. He would like to remove from under the “General Maintenance” section the cleaning and picking up of debris and eliminate the monthly amount. This will save the city greater than $4000 a year. He will have the juvenile workers to help clean-up throughout the city.

Motion: To rewrite the General Maintenance section of the Cemetery Mowing and Maintenance Contract to remove the verbage as to the cleaning and picking up of debris and the $350 per month, and advertise for bids. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Erbes Alderman Erbes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items. The Council considered a request by START for temporary closure of North 13th Street from Locust to Manning on Saturday, April 21st from 10a to 7p for the START 50th Anniversary Celebration. Director Cathy Bauman stated they would like to have a block party with a band, vendors for people with special needs, bounce houses and a petting zoo.

Angelo Fiorino from the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce issued an invitation to the City Council members and the public to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and celebration to be held March 17th, starting at 10:30 am.

Motion: To approve the request by START to temporarily close North 13th Street between Locust and Manning on Saturday, April 21st, from 10a to 7p. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Voss Alderman Erbes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Request from the Murphysboro Apple Festival Committee to change the layout and area where the Appletime Stage is located and to have the grassy area on the east side of where the Kiwanis tent is located paved and an anchor installed for the tent. This will involve having a pole removed and pouring concrete. Councilman Campos inquired as to whether the concrete will have to be ADA approved, Darrin Mills will know if that is the case.

Motion: To approve the request by Apple Festival Committee to change the layout of the stage area and pave the grassy area. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Erbes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items. A status update on the fence dispute on Division Street was given be Attorney Heller. A letter was sent out Friday requesting a copy of the survey of Ms. Weber’s lot. Ms. Jones stated that she has asked for the survey to be recorded at the courthouse.

A request for street light on Borgsmiller Street was discussed. This would be at the end of Borgsmiller Street and it is very dark. There is already a pole there but no other street lights.

Motion: To approve the request to install a street light at the end of Brogsmiller Street. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Bastien called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items. The Council considered the negotiated invoice from Illini Asphalt for the 20th Street Cinder Seal project.

Motion: To pay Illini Asphalt $6000.00 for the 20th Street Cinder Seal. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

A status update of the new road to the Wastewater Treatment Plant was presented by City engineer Harold Sheffer. They are basically done with the design and hope to put it out for bid in May or June of this year.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items. Per Police Chief Roberts he has received a bid of $23,247.00 to replace the 2001 Dodge Dakota with a 2018 Dodge Charger. Also stated they have had better return by sending the old vehicles to auction than selling them by sealed bid.

Motion: To approve the bid of $23,247.00 for purchase of a 2018 dodge Charger. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items. There was no business to discuss at this time.

No public comment.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Would like a copy of the contract.

Jance Curry-Witzman Question regarding apartment complex on Shomaker Dr,

exterior doors missing, can see in, is it safe? Chief Roberts spoke to Eric Kennedy, new owner is working on it. He removed the doors to try and discourage squatters.

Russell Brown Any news on neighbor’s property? Have declared bankruptcy.

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Table at Taste of chocolate was not filled, would have been nice if the city was better represented.

John Erbes Nothing

Dan Bratton Thanked Darrin and crew for doing a good job getting cinders out on the street intersections. Welcomed the new City Clerk.

Mike Bastien Will get the number of the pole to Sandra for the street light.

Gloria Campos Welcomed the new City Clerk. Concerned about 16th Street,

with all the traffic is deteriorating badly, may need to put on City Maintenance schedule. Will be put on the next agenda.

W. J. Pittman Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Edward Heller Nothing

Sandra Ripley Have submitted a lot of water accounts to collections. Thank

you to Darrin for repairing the night drop box, leaking roof and installing shelving units.

Harold Sheffer EPA has approved the final loan request for the Wastewater

Treatment Plant.

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Have received $1000 grant to use at their discretion. Also received a grant of approximately $1500 from SIH for the NARCAN Program.

Scott Evans Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Jim Stewart Nothing

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor stated the following:

Regarding the overbilling of the Village of Vergennes, the city offered to pay 1⁄2 back, Vergennes rejected the offer and would like the entire amount as a credit or a check written. Alderman Pittman asked if we could deduct the $5000 we previously under billed. Alderman Bratton inquired as to how many gallons we supply to Vergennes. This will be put on the agenda for the next City Council meeting.

Public comment: Mark Wisely, Vergennes Trustee, stated that it was an oversight on both parties, that there is a contract. The previous under billing is in the past and has already been settled. The Vergennes Council is just asking for the overbilled amount to be returned and would like to get this matter settled.

Cruise Night – Josh Sayer thanked the Council for their support. Stated that in 2017 they had over 1000 cars in the shows with lots of attendees. They provided over 1350 plates of food, that Carl Clover with big Muddy Fish Fryers has also become involved with that. The first Cruise Night for 2018 is planned for April 7th. Would like to close off the streets again with the city’s permission. The Mayor asked for Josh to provide a list of the proposed street closures to the council.

Mayor Stephens thanked Darrin Mills for the repairs done at the Annex, adding that this helped save a lot of money.

Boundary Proposal submitted by the City of Carbondale: Mayor Henry has approached Mayor Stephens concerning the proposed boundary lines. The proposed map was given to all Council members. Mayor Stephens suggested the Council members look over the map and then make any suggestions at the next council meeting.

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:15 pm to discuss matters related to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(5) regarding potential real estate purchase. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman

Voss, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman Nays: None

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:45 p.m. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Campos Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman

Voss, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman Nays: None Motion Carried

Motion: To enter into an annexation agreement with Mr. Cliff Mills and Ms. Imogene Clark. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To adjourn Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Voss Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2018-02-13.pdf